Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Revelation 14:2

"And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and the voice which I heard [was] as [the voice] of harpers harping with their harps:" — Revelation 14:2 (ASV)

The “sound” (GK 5889) John hears is probably a “voice,” as in 1:15. It is important to recognize that this voice is not that of the redeemed; it is a loud angelic chorus (cf. 5:11), sounding like “the roar of rushing waters,” like “a loud peal of thunder,” and like “harpists playing their harps” (1:15; 5:8; 6:1; 19:1, 6; cf. comment on 5:8). Again the scene is liturgical, emphasizing the connection between the earthly victory and the heavenly throne.